Garment or ironing press



DeC. 19, 1 C;v LEDBETTER GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Filed Aug. 9, 1929 2Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR James zmm edefer DeC- 19; 1933 J. c. LEDBETTER1,940,219

` GARMENT OR IRONING PRESS Filed Aug. 9. 1929 ZSheets-Sheet 2 5^ (T T]5g, 5# A.' Y 5 #y f Q'/ #q I ya INVENTOR BY uma; [amm] [edielffrPatented Dec. 19, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFicE GARMENT 0R IRONINGPRESS James Camrod Ledbetter, New York, N. Y., assignor to TheProsperity Company, Inc., Syracuse, N. Y., a corporation of New YorkThis invention relates topresses and more particularly to garmentorironing presses of the type having steam heated press jaws and whichfrequently include spraying means to treat and condition the work as byapplication of steam and air.

Garment presses, in particular those for pressing suits and woolens, areusually made with steam and air spraying means as by perforating thepressing face of the press jaws, say the head or buck. Steam may besprayed through the perforations to moisten the garment or other work byimpregnating it with the steam, and then follows a treatment of air suchas sucking or evacuating' air through the steamed work to dry and coolthe same, or by blowing air on or through the work to dry and cool it.

An object therefore of this invention is to improve the structure ofpress jaws of the general character above mentioned and moreparticularly to increase the efliciency thereof by which a given amountof steam pressure possessing a certain temperature maintains the workingface of theV press at a higher temperature than ordinarily obtains withgarment presses now in general use. In other words, the press jawconstituting this invention remains hotter with the given amount ofsteam than ordinary press jaws commonly used, and consequently a lowersteam lpressure can be employed resulting in general economy in fuel andmore uniform ja'w temperature.

Having the foregoing objects and others in view, the invention relatesto features and uses already suggested,and a characteristic mode ofoperation, which will be apparent from the description of this inventionto follow.

'Ihe accompanying drawings illustrate concrete embodiments orexamples'ofthis invention and it is understood that changes in structure mayberesorted to without departing from the principles involved. In theaccompanying drawings: l

Figure l shows a cross sectional view taken through a chambered pressjaw, more particularly the lower jaw usually called a buck, and whichshows the features constituting this invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary View of a valve assembly shown inFigure 1, the valve being in part diagrammatic and being a combinationvalve to spray steam and air on the work.

Figure shows a cross section or an upper jaw'such as the head of `agarment or ironing press and being attached-to a head actuating member,together with the lower jaw such as the buck in end elevation.

Figure 4 shows a modified form of press jaw, say the head, in section,the head being raised above the buck by movement of the actuating memberor press jaw operating means.

In accordance with the principles of this invention, there is provided apress jaw or member, the foraminous spray chamber of which is remotefrom the pressing face of the jaw, and the heating chamber is locatednext to the pressing face. In this way the press face is maintained at ahigh temperature because the air spraying operation does not tend tocool thev press face at the same rate as occurs with other forms ofconstruction.v

Referring further to the-drawings for a more detailed description of theinvention and describing first the' buck construction in Figures 1 and2, there is shown any suitable type of press frame 6 mounting a presstable 'lin the usual way and mounting a support 8 on which is carried apress buck or jaw 9 embodying the features of this invention. The buck 9is improved in respect .to the fluid heating or sprayfacilities and itincludes an air spray chamber 10 preferably located remotely from,though in close relation to, the working or pressing face 11 of the jaw.An air supply pipe 14 connects with the air chamber 10 and is adapted tosupply air pressure to the chamber 10 or evacuate the air therefrom bysuction, tnus affording either an air pressure spray on the work oravacuum for the purpose of drawing air through the garment as' will belater explained. It is sometimes desirable to blow air through the workwhile other types of presses suck air rthrough the work. In thisconnection, the airv pipe 14and chamber 10 are designed to serve eitherpurpose. 4A partition 12 encloses the air chamberV 10 and forms one sideof a perforated'spray chamberl from which either steam Vor air issprayed out through the pressing face 11 ofthe jaw, or' air is drawndown through the press face by'a vacuum pump connected to the pipe 14.

What is of greater significance is the fact that a steam heating chamber15 is formed adjacent the pressing face 11 by a partition 16, and thelatter partition 16 also forms one wall of the spray chamber 13. thusformed adjacent the press face 11 and hence no insulating spaces, air orsteam chamber formations or partition Vwalls of any Vcharacter areinterposedr between thisheating `chamber 15 and the working face of thepress. Forthis reason,

The heating chamber 15 is 105 the heat from the steam in the chamber 15is transmitted directly through the thin press wall 11 and through thepadding or cover 18 usually placed over the pressing face of a garmentpress jaw. A steam pipe 17 transmits steam to the chamber 15 for heatingthe press jaw. 'Ihe steam pipe is connected with a boiler or othersuitable source of steam supply and conducts steam to the chamber 15where it circulates in any well known way. It is an advantage to placethe heating chamber 15 close to the press face 11 and to provide somemeans to connect the spray chamber 13 with the perforated press face'aswill be explained.

The steam and air spray chamber 13 as well as the combination airpressure and air suction chamber l0, are interconnected by perforationsor spray holes through the outer face 11 of the press jaw. In thisconnection, the press face 11 is foraminated, i. e., provided with aplurality of perfor-ations or passages 20 arranged in any convenientmanner. The perforations 2O pass through the heating chamber 15 and forthis purpose tubular connections 21 join the press face wall 11 andpartition 16. In other words, the perforations 20 are sufliciently longto reach from the face 11 of the press jaw to the spray chamber 13through the heating chamber 15. In this way, the steam in the heatingchamber 15 surrounds the tubular connections 2l leading to theperforations 20 and the steam is also in direct contact with the pressface l1.

The steam confined in the heating chamber 15 may be used as a sprayingmedium by discharging it through the perforation passages 20 against orthrough the work on the press jaw. Although the supply pipe 17 connectsthe steam line through the heating chamber 15 and then discharges intothe spray chamber 13 and hence outwardly through the perforations 20 tomoisten the work, this is a preferred arrangement. This embodiment ofthe invention shown as a mere eX- ample affords a valve control meansfor releasing steam from the heating chamber 15 into the spray chamber13 and by which a cloud of steam to treat the garment or work is blastedup through the perforated press face 1l. For this purpose, a spray valveis used and it includes control passages for the releasing of air fromthe air charnber 10 up into the spray chamber 13. In this cennection, afeature of the invention resides in a combination valve control devicewhereby either air pressure or suction from the chamber 10, or steampressure from the heating chamber 15, may be sprayed through the jawperforations 20. One may consider that an air spray treatment of thework is carried out whether by air pressure driven upwardly through theperforated press face 11 or by the vacuum or suction process of movingair in the opposite direction thru the work. Air, coming or going, as bysuction or blowing, may be used in the practice of this invention.

In amplifying the foregoing explanation, the drawings show asimple orelementary type oi' combination steam and air spray control valve butvarious forms thereof may be used. The valve shown includes a tubularcasing 23, which screw threads upwardly through one or both of the walls12 and 16 thereby connecting together these two walls and by which thetwo chambers 10 and 15 are interconnected. Valve ports or perforations24 are made in the valve casing 23 within the combination steam and airspray chamber-13 and by which either steam from chamber 15 or air to orfrom chamber 10 may be released into the spray chamber 13 to dischargeout through or back through the perforated press face 11, depending onwhether air pressure or air vacuum is used.

The valve casing 23 is anchored in position by a sleeve 26, which isdisposed through the buck wall 9 and screw threads onto the lower end ofthe valve casing 23. The sleeve 26 projects outwardly through the wall 9and is covered by a screw cap 27 which has a stufng box 26 to pack avalve rod 2Q and render the latter steam tight in its reciprocatingoperation to work a valve plunger 30 attached to the upper end of thevalve rod. A plurality of perforationsV 19 are formed through the sleeve26 and lower end of the valve casing 23 for the purposev of admittingthe flow of air to or from the chamber 10 and hence to or from the spraychamber 13.

The valve plunger 3G plugs or closes the valve or tubular casing 23 andprevents the passage of steam or air therethrough from either chamberl() or 15. The plunger normally closes the perforations or valve ports24 and hence combination steam and spray chamber 13 is closed off fromboth steam heating chamber 15 and air pressure or suction chamber 10.However by shifting valve plunger 30 away from the valve ports 24 in thesleeve 23, it follows that steam or air will, flow to the spray chamber13 from one or the other chambers 10 and 15. Any suitable operatingmeans'may be employed for shifting the valve plunger 30 up or down touncover the ports 24 and an example of hand control therefor is shown.

A Valve handle 33 is connected through a link 34 to the valve rod 29 andthe rear end of the handle 33 may be pivoted on a bracket 35 orotherwise pivotally mounted on some fixed Vframe portion. By shiftingthe handle 33 upwardly, the valve plunger 30 is also shifted upwardlyabove the valve ports 24 to uncover the latter whereupon air, eitherunder suction or pressure, is free to communicate between the chambers10 and 13 through the ports 19 and 24 in the sleeve 26 and valve casing23. By moving the valve handle 33 downwardly, the valve plunger isactuated downwardly in the valve casing 23 to uncover the valve ports 24whereupon steam flows from the heating chamber l5 into the spray chamber3 and hence a cloud of steam under pressure is driven outwardly throughthe foraminous press jaw face 11 to condition the work thereon.

From the foregoing description of the press buck shown in Figuresl and2, it is seen that air, whether under pressure or suction, or steam, issprayed through a foraminous press jaw without unduly cooling thepressing face 1l thereof for the reason that the heating chamber l5 ispositioned next and immediately adjacent the press face 1l. What is offurther note is the fact that the elongated spray holes 20 afford aheating means for air under pressure to blow outwardly from the spraychamber 13 and through. the press cloth 18 into and thru the work. Hencethe improved press jaw possesses the advantage of heating its air beforespraying it thru the work or heating either spray material or mediumbefore blowing the same through the work. Air thus heated, efiicientlyremoves moisture left by the steam and drys the work.

The jaw structure shown in Figures 1 and 2 illustrates athree-chamberedvpress jaw wherein is employed the heating chamber 15having tubular bosses or connections 21 to the spray perforaticnsextending therethrough, together with the lil combination air and steamspraycha'mber 13, as well as the air suction or pressure chamber'lO.These three-chambers are interconnected and the fluid pressure in eachis controlledrfor spray treatment. of the work which is effected asalready explained. The principle of the invention affords still anotherform of jaw construction which will now be described and reference ismade-to Figures Brand 4.

Coming now to a description of the second form in Figures 3 and 4, apress frame 40 mounts a press buck 41in any convenient way. Operatingmeans, such as a press lever or upright swing link 42 carries a presshead 43 adapted to coact with the buck 41 and `press the work betweenthe two jaws41 and .43. One or any suitable. number of fluid pipes 44connects `with the press head 43 to convey steam or air to and fromthechambered press head 43. The press`head'43 is made with a heatingchamber 45 designed in the same characteristic manner as heretoforeexplained in connection with the first form of the invention. In otherwords, the steam heating chamber 45 is made adjacent the pressing face46 of the press head so as to transmit heat directly from the heatingchamber 45 through a head cover cloth 47 into the work on the buck 41.Thus arranged, the steam heating chamber 45 is close to the work to bepressed.

The presshead 43 is made with a spray chamber 49, which may be designedfor either steam or air and if air is used, the spray chamber 49 may beemployed to transmit air suction or air pressure, suction or blow, orboth. The spray chamber 49 connects with the foraminous press face 46through a plurality of spray perforations 50. The spray perforations()pass through bosses or solid cast leads 51 and hence the spray passages50 are somewhat elongated and thus may transmit heat from the heatingchamber 45 into the air under pressure passing downwardly through theleads to the perforations which air blows against the work on the buck41 to dry the.

work. 1n other words the air flowing thru the perforations takes up heatfrom the spray tubes or bosses 51 and is warmed.

The fluid supply pipe 44 connects with the steam chamber 45 to circulatesteam therethrough to heat the press head 43 and also to supply steamfor spraying purposes. Steam spraying from the heating chamber 45 isaccomplished by releasing steam from the chamber 45 into the spraychamber 49 whereupon the steam issues from the perforation passages 50in the form of a cloud to condition the work. A spray valve 54 is screwfastened in the upper wall 52 forming the heating chamber 45. This valveincludes a casing 54 having a port 55 opening into the spray chamber 49.The tubular valve casing 54 is open at its lower end within the heatingchamber 45 and a valve closure head 56 closes the lower end of thetubular casing 54 and is actuated downwardly by a handle 57 whichpresses on a valve stem 58 carrying said head 56 on its lower end. Thevalve stem 58 extends through the valve casing 54 and connects with thevalve head 56 on the lower end of the casing 54 within the steam chamber45 and is operated by the handle 58 at its upper end.

According to the above described construction, the handle 57 isdepressed as shown in Figure 4, to unseat the valve head 56 from thelower end of the valve casing 54, whereupon steam pressure ilows fromthe heating chamber 45 up through the tubular valve casing 54 and outthrough the discharge port l `into the spray chamber 49` whereupon thesteam blows downwardly through the foraminations 50 to spray the work.Thus by working the valve handle 57, steam is sprayed on the work fromthe heating. chamber 45.

Figure 4 shows a modified form of construction in respect to theperforations andthe mode of discharging air or steam spray from the jawonto the work by blowing rearwardly away from the operator. Furthermore,Figure 4 shows means for spraying air through the press jaw whereasFigure 3 discloses a simple type of press head adapted only to spraysteam on the work. In Figure 4, the heating chamber 45 and press face 46is foraminated by angularly disposed perforation passages 60 extendingor pointing rearwardly from the front of the press. The rearwardlypointing spray perforations 60 deliver steam or ir under pressureblowing rearwardly away from the operator in front of the press and theblast of steam on the work at an angle to the plane of the work effectsa more complete saturation than is possible by straight blowing. Thereference 47 indicates a press head cloth or cover of the usual kindwhich prevents the woolen garment from becoming shiny or otherwisedamaged when the jaws close thereon. The angular perforations 60 deliverthe steam or air pressure rearwardly against the work on the buck 4l andhence the operator does not suffer the inconvenience of air or steamblowing against him in case he operates the spraying means when the headis slightly off of the work which is frequently the case.

The spray valve casing 54 mounts a handle 57, as already described, andby depressing the handle to thrust the valve head 56 downwardly, steamunder pressure flows upwardly through the valve casing 54 into the spraychamber 49 and hence downwardly through the angularly spray perforationsto drive away the steam and heat from 'the work and rearwardly from theoperator which is a great convenience to him. It is thus an ad- Vantageto steam spray and air dry the work by a cloud of iluid pressuredirected angularly from the front of the press and from between theJaws.

In addition to the steam supply pipe 44 shown in Figure 4 forcirculating the steam through the chamber 45, there is provided anotherfluid supply pipe 62 more particularly for conveying air under pressureto the head or even sucking air as by vacuum from the head. The pipe 62passes through an air valve 63 and connects to the spray chamber 49through a port 64. By depressing an air spray valve handle 65, the pipe62 is opened to either allow air under pressure to flow in the spraychamber 49 or to suck air therefrom. In either case, the work on thebuck 41 is air treated, dried and cooled. Under pressure, air blowsdownwardly through the perforations 60; while under suction, the air issucked upwardly therethrough. In the latter event, the press head 46should rest lightly in'contact with the work on the buck 41 so as topick up the air and draw it over or thru the work when the air is beingsucked through the pipe 62.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the severalembodiments of the invention affords several forms of new type pressjaws. A plurality of chambers may be provided as noted in thethree-chambered structure shown in Figure 1. On the other hand, a verysimple type of press jaw is illustrated in the two-chambered structureshown in Figures 3 and 4. In the latter View, it is apparent that thetwo chambers including the spray chamber 49 and the heating chamber 45may bef usedi to serve the same purpose as the three-chamb'ered jawconstruction shown in Figure 1 for indeed the air pipe 62 supplies airdirectly to the spray chamber 49 instead of to an auxiliary spraychamber as designated at 10 in Figure 1. Hence the press head 46 may bevery light in construction and not suffer the clisadvantage of anyomissions in spraying and heating functions. Y

This new jaw construction affords a hotter press face and lower pressuresteam may be used to maintain the pressing face at a given temperature.Also the hot perforation passages warms the air before it blows thru thework. The construction has other apparent advantages and fills a longfelt want.

I claim:

1. In a press jaw having a perforated spraying press surface to engagethe work, and being provided with a heating chamber directly in contactwith the press surface, a spray chamber remote from the perforatedsurface, and passages leading from the spray chamber thru the heatingchamber and out thru the perforations, said passages being disposedrearwardly away from the operator at an angle to the vertical to blow aspraying medium onto the garment and toward the rear of the press.

2. In a garment or ironing press jaw, which is formed with chambersseparated by partition means, a press face dened by a wall enclosing oneof the chambers which is adjacent said face,

bosses integrally joining the press facel with one of the chambers andsaid bosses extending thru the other chamber, said bosses beingperforated with spray passages which lead thru the last named chamberfrom the other chamber, and the bosses and spray passages therein beingdisposed rearwardly atan angle to thervertical to blow a treating mediumaway from the operator.

3. A press jaw construction comprising a steam-receiving heatingchamber, a press face plate adjacent the heating chamber, a spraychamber adjacent the heating chamber, a plurality of spray tubesextending through the heating chamber and connecting the spray chamberwith the outer atmosphere through the press face plate, said spray tubespointing rearwardly away from the operator to eject a spraying mediumonto the work toward the rear of the press, and means to control theflow of the spraying medium through the spray tubes.

4. A press jaw construction comprising a heating chamber, a spraychamber adjacent thereto, conduit means to supply steam to the heatingchamber, an air pipe connected with the spray chamber to provide a flowof air thereto, a plurality of spray tubes extending from the spraychamber through the heating chamber and out to atmosphere, a Valveconnecting the two chambers to control the flow of steam from theheating chamber to the spray chamber, and Valve means in the air pipe tocontrol the 110W of air through the spray chamber.

JAMES CAMROD LEDBETTER.

